Tracks in snow lead Oxford police to robbery suspects

Friday

Dec 13, 2013 at 6:24 PM

By Mike Elfland TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

OXFORD — Footprints in the snow, a time-tested investigative aid, helped Oxford police track down two men who allegedly broke the glass door of Southside Convenience Store and made off with a few cases of beer.

About 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, police officers responding to an alarm at the store, at 182 Main St., soon spotted two sets of fresh shoe impressions in the snow.

The trail first led them to discarded beer cases, then to a house at 155 Main St. Four people were at the address.

In a news release, police said: "In their search officers found the clothing and shoes of the suspects from the break, and the remainder of the stolen beer from Southside Convenience Store. Officers also discovered a .22-caliber handgun, .22-caliber ammunition, over 5 pounds of marijuana, and prescription and narcotic pills."

Two of the men at the address were arrested. Mark Tarasiak, 38, of Worcester, and Keith Dawson, 30, of Webster are charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime, larceny from a building, destruction of property, possession of burglarious tools and conspiracy.